Description

Includes correspondence and letter books related to the history of the Manufacturing Chemists’ Association and its successor group, the American Chemistry Council.

Background note

The Manufacturing Chemists’ Association (MCA) was formed in 1872 and initially was concerned with product standards and quality. Later the association became involved in chemical safety and the environment. Beginning in 1878 the MCA took an active stand on behalf of the protectionist forces when a bitter struggle was being waged over the issue of free trade. The MCA contended that free trade would give the better-established European chemical manufacturers of England, France, and Germany an unfair advantage over the still-developing U.S. companies. In time the association became so well-versed in tariffs and trade-related matters that its members became advisers to the U.S. Congress. During World War I the Chemical Alliance, whose ranks included many prominent MCA members, worked to ensure that substitute sources could be had for vital chemicals previously supplied by Germany.

The Manufacturing Chemists’ Association became the Chemical Manufacturers Association in 1979 and is now the American Chemistry Council, Inc.